West Bloomfield doctor one of three convicted in health care fraud scheme

WEST BLOOMFIELD >> A 61-year-old doctor from West Bloomfield was one of three men convicted of health care fraud last week in federal court in Detroit.

A jury found Carl Fowler guilty of conspiracies to commit health care fraud, to distribute controlled substances, and to pay or receive health care kickbacks, according to a press release from the office of U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

Pharmacist Mukesh Khunt, 34, of Toronto, and Michael Thoran of Detroit were also convicted. Thoran, whose age was not provided, was convicted of the same charges as Fowler, while Khunt was convicted of health care fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, two counts of health care fraud and two counts of controlled substances distribution. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a seventh charge against Khunt for conspiracy to pay or receive health care kickbacks.

“We hope that prosecutions like this one will deter medical professionals from stealing taxpayer funds intended for health care.”

The convictions followed a three-week trial regarding events that occurred between January 2006 and August 2011. Evidence presented at trial showed Fowler was paid bribes and kickbacks in exchange for referrals of prescriptions for expensive medications, without regard to medical necessity, the release states.

Fowler was also accused of writing unlawful prescriptions for narcotic drugs, including Oxycontin and Oxycodone, which were resold on the street, according to the release.

“Patel paid cash kickbacks and other things of value to physicians in exchange for those physicians writing prescriptions for expensive medications, without regard to medical necessity, that would be billed to Medicare, Medicaid or a private insurer through one of the Patel Pharmacies,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Patel is serving a 17-year prison sentence following his conviction at a trial conducted in August 2012. Two cases will go to trial in July, while 36 defendants have been convicted through either trials and guilty pleas. One defendant remains a fugitive, the release states.